A Student visa allows eligible applicants aged 16 or over to study with a licensed UK education provider. The application must demonstrate a genuine study plan, an eligible course, the required English level and sufficient funding.

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At a glance

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Sponsorship: A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed Student sponsor is required.

Where to apply: Outside the UK, or inside the UK where switching or extension is permitted.

Length of stay: Depends on the course, additional permitted time and applicable study limits.

Work: Depends on the course and sponsor; restrictions apply.

Settlement: No direct route.

Dependants: Restricted to specified categories of student and limited exceptions.

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Main eligibility requirements

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You must have an eligible course offer and a valid CAS, issued no more than six months before the application.

 

You must be a genuine student and meet the relevant course, study-level, English, financial and suitability requirements.

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An ATAS certificate may be required for certain sensitive subjects.

 

TB screening is required where the country and residence conditions apply.

 

Applicants aged 16 or 17 need the required parental consent and evidence of appropriate care arrangements.

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For in-country applications, academic progression, previous study and switching restrictions must also be considered. An offer letter alone is not a substitute for a CAS.

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English language requirement

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The usual requirement is B2 for degree-level study or above and B1 for below-degree or pre-sessional study. An eligible higher education provider may assess English itself where the rules permit; otherwise an approved form of evidence is needed.

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Financial requirement: applications before 30 November 2026

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Unless exempt, you must show the outstanding course fees for the first academic year, or the whole course if shorter, as recorded on the CAS, plus living costs of:

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London: £1,529 per month for up to nine months — a maximum of £13,761.

Outside London: £1,171 per month for up to nine months — a maximum of £10,539.

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The funds normally need to be held for 28 consecutive days, with the period ending within 31 days before application.

 

Qualifying student loans and official financial sponsorship have separate evidential provisions. Residential independent-school applicants follow the relevant course-and-boarding-fee rules.

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Eligible in-country applicants who have lived in the UK with permission for at least 12 months generally do not need to show funds. Differential-evidence arrangements can reduce the documents initially submitted; they do not remove the underlying requirement to have the required money.

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Confirmed change from 30 November 2026

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For applications made on or after 30 November 2026, monthly living-cost requirements increase to:

London: £1,570 per month for up to nine months — a maximum of £14,130.

Outside London: £1,203 per month for up to nine months — a maximum of £10,827.

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The maximum permitted offset for accommodation paid to the Student sponsor also rises to £1,570. These future figures should not be used as the current minimum before their commencement date.

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Partners and children

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Dependants are generally permitted for government-sponsored students on courses lasting more than six months, or qualifying full-time postgraduate students on courses of at least nine months. For courses beginning on or after 1 January 2024, the postgraduate course must normally be a PhD, another doctorate or a research-based higher degree.

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An ordinary taught master's degree does not normally allow new dependants. Transitional and specified child exceptions require individual assessment.

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Where required, each dependant needs £845 per month in London or £680 outside London, for up to nine months, in addition to the student's own funds.

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Work and current restrictions

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Eligible degree-level students at a qualifying higher education provider are normally allowed up to 20 hours' work per week during term time and full-time work during recognised vacations. Some students have a ten-hour limit or no permission to work. Self-employment is generally prohibited, subject to narrowly defined exceptions when switching routes.

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Since 26 March 2026, overseas Student applications by nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan are subject to the visa brake. This restriction concerns entry clearance; it does not automatically cancel existing permission or prohibit an otherwise eligible in-country extension.

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From 8 October 2026, new provisions facilitate qualifying Erasmus+ study arrangements for the UK's participation from 2027. Sponsor participation and the particular course arrangements must be checked.

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Evidence commonly required

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Passport; CAS; qualifications and English evidence where required; financial documents; ATAS and TB certificates where applicable; and parental, scholarship-consent or dependant documents where relevant.

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Application process

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Apply up to six months before the course starts from overseas, or up to three months before it starts from inside the UK. In-country applications normally must be made before existing permission expires, with the new course starting within 28 days of that expiry. Pay the applicable fee and healthcare surcharge and complete identity checks.

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Common issues

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Incorrect financial evidence, insufficient funds, unsuitable CAS details, credibility concerns and misunderstanding work or dependant conditions can lead to refusal or later immigration problems.

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Frequently asked questions

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Can I rely on future earnings to meet the financial requirement?

No. The required funds or accepted financial sponsorship must be demonstrated under the application rules.

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Will completing any course qualify me for a Graduate visa?

No. The qualification, provider, study period and successful-completion requirements must all be met.

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